Secretary Clinton Encourages Service on 9/11

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered remarks highlighting the importance of service on the tenth anniversary of September 11. Secretary Clinton said:

"For me, and for many Americans, 9/11 will always be a day that represents humanity at its worst, and humanity at its best. So many experienced senseless violence, and tragic, unspeakable loss. But we also witnessed the heroism, generosity, and courage of the American people -- and we were touched by the compassion of citizens from around the world.

"Today, we continue to be inspired by the firefighters, police officers, rescue workers and citizens who ran into burning buildings, provided medical care, and saved lives.

"On this 10th anniversary we can help redefine 9/11 for a new decade as a symbol of resilience and dedication to helping our neighbors. By committing a day or even an hour to serving others, we can transform the memory of grief into a hopeful future. We can create a living memorial to all the brave men and women who showed the world the best that America has to offer.

"This September, what will you do to remember? Will you take time to paint a school, plant a tree, or tutor a child? Wherever you are from, you can demonstrate the common humanity that binds us together and makes our societies and our world stronger.

"So let's stand up and continue to build a more peaceful and prosperous world together."

Comments

Comments

"Ten years have elapsed since 9/11. Looking back, what did the wars launched in response to that atrocity cost? And what did they accomplish?

Taking Afghanistan and Iraq together, the longest wars in U.S. history, the costs have been immense: 6,000 dead, 40,000 wounded. Over $1 trillion sunk. Hundreds of thousands of Afghan and Iraqi dead. Half a million widows and orphans.

Four million Iraqis were uprooted; 2 million have fled into exile, half of them Christians. We unleashed the fury of Islam on the Christians of Iraq where the murders and martyrdoms do not cease. In a Muslim world we set afire, Christians everywhere face persecution as perceived allies of the â€œcrusaders and Zionists.â€

Cairo has allowed Iran’s warships to transit Suez, brokered the unity agreement between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, opened its border to Gaza, and is re-establishing relations with Tehran. American displeasure is politely ignored.

Arab attitudes toward us are even harsher than in Bush’s final year. Only 5 percent of Egyptians hold a favorable view of the United States. In Morocco and Jordan, the figures are 10 and 12 percent, respectively.

Astonishing. With half the United Nation’s 192 nations ruled by autocrats and dictators, are we to overthrow them all?

Across the Muslim world, we Americans are seen as the last of the imperial powers, the crusader state that came after the British. And as long as we intervene in the Muslim world to impose our views and values, and to maintain our troops, bases and satraps, we will be resented and resisted, even as we came to resent and to resist the British in our own country.

Across the Muslim world, we Americans are seen as the last of the imperial powers, the crusader state that came after the British. And as long as we intervene in the Muslim world to impose our views and values, and to maintain our troops, bases and satraps, we will be resented and resisted, even as we came to resent and to resist the British in our own country." - Pat Buchanan

John P.

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Greece

September 11, 2011

John P. in Greece writes:

@ Zharkov in U.S.A.

Enough with your excel Z.

Respect the day for once!

We had thousands of dead people, biologically plus psychologically.

You always come with a $ argument.

How much does a live cost according to your â€˜logicâ€?

According to my opinion an (1) American, or any (1) Western terrorism victim worths all the money of the world.

Zharkov

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United States

September 13, 2011

Zharkov in the U.S.A. writes:

@ John in Greece:

If your view is that only Western lives have value, that would be consistent with US policies in Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

As for our public officials milking the 9/11 tragedy for maximum publicity, it's what our government does. I think we both know why.

John P.

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Greece

September 14, 2011

John P. in Greece writes:

@ Zharkov in the U.S.A.

Don’t put words in my mouth.

We did not start the fire!

Terrorists did!

That’s why I love U.S. policy: Bring them in â€œdead or aliveâ€!

Dear Z, either you like it or not, they (terrorists) will either change planet, or they will get imprisoned, orâ€¦ they will end up DEAD!

Maria S.

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Hungary

September 14, 2011

Maria Moira S. in Hungary writes:

I think, we have to unit our brain and heart to save the world, each-other, and build a free and prosperous world.